TV may be enjoying a new “golden age” of popularity, but the awards show celebrating it definitely is not. Total viewership of the 2017 Emmy Awards barely beat the record lows from 2016, as only about 11.4 million people tuned in this past Sunday night.
Notably, Emmy ratings slipped 10 percent, from a 2.7 to a 2.5, among the key demographic of adults 18-49 years old. Not surprisingly, its ratings were below those of NBC’s Sunday Night Football, which took a 12.6 overnight rating among households, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
Viewership of the Emmy’s has been sinking for years. It hit new lows in 2015 and then again in 2016, after two straight years of strong performances. The NFL does create some competition, but some in the industry attribute the Emmy’s dwindling audiences to a broadening list of winners that includes niche, less-popular shows on cable and streaming outlets not found on the broadcast networks. However, The Hollywood Reporter also notes that Game of Thrones won in 2016—when Emmy ratings hit their nadir—and that show is wildly popular.
Some have also blamed the low ratings to the consistent mocking or outbursts toward President Trump by actors during acceptance speeches. This is difficult to prove, however, since the 2017 ratings only incrementally differ from those in the previous two years.
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